Press Digest for Tuesday November 05, 2013

The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers across the Arab world.

• Caretaker PM Mikati calls on Speaker Berri to set powers of caretaker government 

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati told Al-Hayat newspaper on Tuesday that he called on Speaker Nabih Berri to hold a parliamentary session to set the tasks of the caretaker government. 

Mikati noted that he will discuss these issues with Speaker Berri in a meeting set to be held in the upcoming days in order "to end the political deadlock" in the country.

• Lebanon may witness presidential vacuum-sources 

Sources told Al-Hayat newspaper on Tuesday that Lebanon may witness vacuum in the presidential position.

Sources noted however that several Lebanese leaders are potential candidates for the presidency such as the leader of the Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun, Marada Movement leader MP Sleiman Frangieh, Governor of Banque du Liban Riad Salameh, former Minister Jean Obeid and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Jean Kahwagi.

According to the Daily, President Michel Sleiman is not willing to extend the mandate of his presidency.

• General Security Head Ibrahim is holding contacts to release the two bishops-sources

Sources told Al-Hayat newspaper on Tuesday that the two abducted Syrian bishops were kidnapped in Aleppo, adding that General Security leader Major General Abbas Ibrahim is holding contacts with the United Nations envoy to Syria Lakhdar Ibrahimi's bureau head  in Damascus to release the two bishops.

Sources added that Maj. Gen. Ibrahim obtained information stating that the two bishops are alive, adding that they were last seen in a region controlled by Syrian rebels.

• Future MP Fatfat: Speaker Nabih Berri is implementing Hezbollah's agenda

Future bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat told Al-Seyassah newspaper on Tuesday that Speaker Nabih Berri's accusations of the March 14 alliance hindering the formation of a new government are "untrue."

MP Fatfat added that Speaker Berri is implementing Hezbollah's agenda in Lebanon, accusing him and the March 8 alliance of hindering the formation process.